J P Losman

Willis McGahee had an answer for those who thought Buffalo Bill quarterback J.P. Losman would struggle in his NFL debut. "He came out and proved you wrong," McGahee said. "And I told you he was going to do it." Showing poise and confidence, Losman engineered scoring drives on each of Buffalo's first five possessions, leading the Bills to a 22-7 victory over the Houston Texans Sunday.

Former Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell worked out with the Washington Redskins on Tuesday, two days after Donovan McNabb was benched in the closing minutes of a loss to Detroit. Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said Russell was one of many players, including at least one other quarterback ( J.P. Losman ), who were getting a look from the team. "We'll evaluate him and everyone else out there," Shanahan said. The Redskins routinely invite out-of-work players for workouts on Tuesdays, but the timing of Russell's visit only added to the team's quarterback drama of the last few days.

Former Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell worked out with the Washington Redskins on Tuesday, two days after Donovan McNabb was benched in the closing minutes of a loss to Detroit. Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said Russell was one of many players, including at least one other quarterback ( J.P. Losman ), who were getting a look from the team. "We'll evaluate him and everyone else out there," Shanahan said. The Redskins routinely invite out-of-work players for workouts on Tuesdays, but the timing of Russell's visit only added to the team's quarterback drama of the last few days.

Willis McGahee had an answer for those who thought Buffalo Bill quarterback J.P. Losman would struggle in his NFL debut. "He came out and proved you wrong," McGahee said. "And I told you he was going to do it." Showing poise and confidence, Losman engineered scoring drives on each of Buffalo's first five possessions, leading the Bills to a 22-7 victory over the Houston Texans Sunday.

NFL rookie contracts signed by quarterbacks selected in the first round of this year's draft: *--* P PLAYER TEAM DEAL 1 ELI MANNING N.Y. Giants* 6 years, $54 million 4 PHILIP RIVERS San Diego** 6 years, $40.5 million plus $10 million in incentives 11 BEN ROETHLISBERGER Pittsburgh 6 years, $40 million 22 J.P. LOSMAN Buffalo 5 years, $24.5 million * traded from San Diego ** traded from New York Giants *--*

I'm not sure what Mark Heisler was watching ["Amazing (stupidity) happens," May 8], but I was watching a basketball game where a player saw an opponent setting a pick, so he lowered his shoulder and drove into him. Heisler must have thought he was watching football. John Brooks Azusa :: While obvious that The Times has some sort of contractual obligation to publish an image of Pau Gasol with every Lakers story, is it too much to ask that you at least offer one where he doesn't look as if he was just shot by a sniper?

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Buffalo Bills lost their quarterback and, emphatically, their undefeated record. Rookie Tim Hightower had a pair of touchdown runs and Kurt Warner threw to Larry Fitzgerald twice for scores to lead the Arizona Cardinals to a 41-17 victory over the Bills.

Marquis Brignac of Taft High and J.P. Losman of Venice were selected co-players of the year in the City Section on Wednesday night by the Los Angeles Football Coaches Assn. Brignac, a senior tailback and linebacker, rushed for 1,855 yards and scored 20 touchdowns for the Toreadors, who won the City Championship. Losman completed 177 of 277 passes for 3,514 yards and 48 touchdowns for the Gondoliers, who lost to Taft, 35-28, in a quarterfinal of the City Championship playoffs.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- J.P. Losman came on in relief of injured Trent Edwards and connected with Lee Evans on an 85-yard touchdown pass play with 3 minutes 38 seconds remaining to help lead the Buffalo Bills to a 13-3 victory over the New York Jets. With the Bills on the Jets' 15-yard line and leading 6-3, Losman threw a long pass to Evans down the right sideline.

PITTSBURGH -- Emotion, heart and enthusiasm took the Buffalo Bills a long way. Unfortunately for them, their offense couldn't help. Willie Parker ran for a touchdown and 126 yards and Ben Roethlisberger threw for a score as the Pittsburgh Steelers controlled the clock and the tempo while pulling away from Buffalo for a 26-3 victory. It was the Bills' first game since tight end Kevin Everett badly injured his spinal cord.

The New York Jets' defense was battered all game, with the Buffalo Bills primed for an upset. Yet one big hit and one favorable bounce kept New York in control of its playoff destiny. Abram Elam sacked J.P. Losman and Shaun Ellis picked up the fumble and rumbled 11 yards into the end zone with less than two minutes left to give the Jets (9-5) the go-ahead score for a 31-27 victory.